were taken to prevent the entry of the interdicted workmen. This caused a minor demonstration outside the workshops; the Police, who had been forewarned and were standing by, advanced on the demonstrators and proceeded to photograph them at which they immediately dispersed. On 9th June 100 workers absented themselves from duty.
59. At the other depot at Sung Wong Tai in Kowloon workers reported for duty as usual on 8th June then, at 9 a.m., locked the gates and armed themselves with iron bars and chains. The Police were summoned and using tear gas dispersed the rioters who, by then, had caused considerable damage within the depot. The depot was closed the next day to clear up the debris; when it re-opened for work there were 100 absentees.
60. The Gas Company also has depots at both Kowloon and Hong Kong. At the former there had been a dispute over posters on 3rd June. On the 7th a delegation approached the Chief Engineer and asked him to give an undertaking not to intervene in any action by the workers against the Government, a request which was naturally refused. On 8th June a large group of employees left the works to put up posters but, meeting a strong party of Police which was returning after the action at the Public Works Department depot which is close by, they retreated into the works, barred the gates and armed themselves with pipes and other weapons. The Police again had to force an entry and arrested 122 men. On the next morning, 182 out of a staff of 238 failed to report for duty.
61. At the Hong Kong depot, there had been no trouble over posters and on 9th June there were no absentees. However, on the next day only 23 out of a staff of 92 reported for duty. On 12th June the company announced that all absentees would be regarded as dis- missed unless they applied for re-employment, and a total of 160 men, from both depots, were finally dismissed.
62. There had been no serious casualties in the Police action but on 11th June the body of a man was found in a hopper at the Gas Company's premises and a second body was found, at the bottom of a gas holder, on 17th June. Both were employees of the Gas Company and it is conjectured that they had hidden in these places during the events of 8th June and had been unable to get out.
63. A general stoppage of work in Government departments and utility companies was called for 10th June but it met with little response.
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